| Abstract: | In a 2-phase experiment, consummatory (Phase 1) and body weight regulation (Phase 2) responses to quinine adulteration of a wet mash diet were measured in 16 Holtzman male albino rats recovered from bilateral lateral hypothalamic lesions (LH) and in 18 unoperated control rats (C). In Phase 1, all were fed wet mash adulterated with increasing concentrations of quinine sulfate every other day and fed unadulterated wet mash on the alternate days. Group LH consumed a significantly lower proportion of quinine-adulterated wet mash relative to unadulterated wet mash, displaying a steeper concentration-response function and a lower rejection threshold than did Group C. In Phase 2, Groups LH and C were maintained exclusively on quinine-adulterated mash for 20 days. This procedure caused equivalent weight loss in the 2 groups. Therefore, an apparent exaggerated aversion to quinine-adulterated food does not appear to contribute abnormally to the weight regulation exhibited by rats with lateral hypothalamic damage. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
